Weatherdem's Weblog

Bridging climate science, citizens, and policy


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News Items 9/9/08: Iraq Troop Levels, Colorado Drilling Rules; GI Bill; Palin’s Scam

George Bush decided not to change the number of troops holding down our occupation of Iraq for the remainder of his time in office. Like the courageous visionary he is, he’s leaving the decision to the next President.

The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission staff recommended the elimination of the proposed 90-days drilling restriction in some wildlife areas. Imagine if instead of spending millions on lobbying, fuel corporations spent that money on developing new technologies. Imagine if their actions were responsible and moral.

Why won’t John McCain sign the GI Bill? Must be that mavericky thing the corporate media crows so much about.

Sarah Palin billed taxpayers to stay in her own home. $16,951 by herself; $43,490 for her husband (the secessionist) and daughters. Fiscal conservatism in action.

Sarah Palin’s Alaska is a welfare state. In 2005 (the most recent figures), according to the Tax Foundation, Alaska ranked 18th in federal taxes paid per resident ($5,434) but first in federal spending received per resident ($13,950). Where does all that money come from to spend on each resident? The rest of the country’s taxpayers. Leeches! The last paragraph sums up the situation very nicely (emphasis in bold is mine):

Why is a windfall-profits tax good for Alaska but not for the U.S.? Well, it’s obvious, isn’t it? People in Alaska are better than people in the rest of the U.S. They’re more American. Although there are small towns and farms and high school hockey teams in the lower 48, there are fewer down here, per capita, than in Alaska. And there are many more journalists and pollsters and city dwellers [and community organizers] and other undesirables who might benefit if every American had the same right to leech off the government as do the good citizens of Sarah Palin’s Alaska.


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Hillary Clinton, MSNBC and Fox

MSNBC continues to have troubles with its hosts spouting off ridiculous, sexist comments. The latest episode involved host David Shuster suggesting the Clinton campaign had “pimped out” 27-year old Chelsea by having her place phone calls to celebrities and Democratic Party “superdelegates” on her mother’s behalf. Despite the fact that every race in America from school board to president relies on family members’ direct involvement and support, Shuster singled out the Clinton camp.

That being said, the ridiculousness was nearly matched by the Clintons: “I [Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson], at this point, can’t envision a scenario where we would continue to engage in debates on that network,” he added.

At first blush, it sounds like a good plan, right? Then why would team Clinton continue to agree to a debate on Fox? Which network over the past 20 years has spent more time trying to bring down the Clinton’s? Fox. Which candidate didn’t speak up and refuse to debate on Fox last fall? Clinton. What’s the catch?

Remember this? That’s right: Fox owner Rupert Murdoch (who strongly advocates for further monopolistic control over media outlets and has been investigated for such in other countries and correctly vilified in the US for the same) has hosted fundraisers for Clinton.

Is this how Clinton will “have the strength and experience to lead this country,” she said. “And I am ready to go toe-to-toe with Senator McCain whenever and wherever he desires.” The more voices get drowned out, the better Clinton does. How accepting Murdoch’s money now to set herself up for four years of the 1990′s repeated benefits this country and its desperate need for solutions is way beyond me.

But it’s exactly why I caucused for Obama. And it’s a big reason why there’s no way I’ll work to get her elected if she’s the nominee. People need to wake up: there will be little to no progress made under a Clinton administration for the majority of Americans. Voting for her just because she’s a woman isn’t enough.

*****

Update: KingOneEye has a more in-depth analysis on this.

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